Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ethyl esters of carboxylic acids. Said method consists of treating the biomass material with an oxidizing agent that is incorporated in an solution comprising one or more acids, one or more alcohols and water, and subsequently performing a catalytic reaction at a higher temperature using the same acidic solution into which a larger volume of alcohol is added, in such a way that the catalytic conversion occurs in a medium with a much higher concentration of alcohol, i.e. with a much higher alcohol-to-water wt ratio. Such a method results in relatively high yields of ethyl esters, such as ethyl esters of formic, acetic, and levulinic acids, while producing a low yield of dialkyl ethers, which are unwanted by-products. The concentration of the oxidizing agent in the pre-treatment step is preferably higher than 6.0 wt %.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ethyl esters of carboxylic acids. Said method consists of treating the biomass material with an oxidizing agent that is incorporated in an solution comprising one or more acids, one or more alcohols and water, and subsequently performing a catalytic reaction at a higher temperature using the same acidic solution into which a larger volume of alcohol is added, in such a way that the catalytic conversion occurs in a medium with a much higher concentration of alcohol, i.e. with a much higher alcohol-to-water wt ratio. Such a method results in relatively high yields of ethyl esters, such as ethyl esters of formic, acetic, and levulinic acids, while producing a low yield of dialkyl ethers, which are unwanted by-products. The concentration of the oxidizing agent in the pre-treatment step is preferably higher than 6.0 wt %.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ethyl esters of carboxylic acids. Said method consists of treating the biomass material with an oxidizing agent that is incorporated in an solution comprising one or more acids, one or more alcohols and water, and subsequently performing a catalytic reaction at a higher temperature using the same acidic solution into which a larger volume of alcohol is added, in such a way that the catalytic conversion occurs in a medium with a much higher concentration of alcohol, i.e. with a much higher alcohol-to-water wt ratio. Such a method results in relatively high yields of ethyl esters, such as ethyl esters of formic, acetic, and levulinic acids, while producing a low yield of dialkyl ethers, which are unwanted by-products. The concentration of the oxidizing agent in the pre-treatment step is preferably higher than 6.0 wt %.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ethyl esters of carboxylic acids. Said method consists of treating the biomass material with an oxidizing agent that is incorporated in an solution comprising one or more acids, one or more alcohols and water, and subsequently performing a catalytic reaction at a higher temperature using the same acidic solution into which a larger volume of alcohol is added, in such a way that the catalytic conversion occurs in a medium with a much higher concentration of alcohol, i.e. with a much higher alcohol-to-water wt ratio. Such a method results in relatively high yields of ethyl esters, such as ethyl esters of formic, acetic, and levulinic acids, while producing a low yield of dialkyl ethers, which are unwanted by-products. The concentration of the oxidizing agent in the pre-treatment step is preferably higher than 6.0 wt %.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing ethyl esters and hydrocarbons from lignocellulosic biomass materials. The process comprises two steps: the first step being an acid ethanolysis (solvolysis with ethanol) of the biomass in oxidizing medium; the second step being the catalytic conversion of the by-product diethyl ether and, optionally, light ethyl esters, into hydrocarbons over ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst. Cellulose, hemicellulose and part of the lignin are converted in the first step. The oxidizer used in this first conversion step is preferably and most preferably hydrogen peroxide activated by Fe (II) (Fenton-type reagent), and/or Ti (IV) ions. The final products may include ethyl levulinate (diesel-grade additive), light ethyl esters (ethyl formate and ethyl acetate), levulinic acid, succinic acid, methanol, gasoline-range hydrocarbons and C2-C4 hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Co-catalysts comprising yttria-stabilized aluminum oxide having nickel oxide loaded thereon, their uses and methods of preparing are described. Also, hybrid catalysts comprising these co-catalysts along with main catalyst components, and their uses and methods of preparing are described. Monocomponent catalysts having nickel oxide loaded thereon, their uses and methods of preparing are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cracking catalysts useful in the thermo-catalytic cracking (TCC)—formerly called selective deep catalytic cracking (SDCC)—of petroleum naphthas, gas oils and other heavy hydrocarbon distillates to selectively produce light olefins, said catalyst comprising mesoporous mixed oxides modified by the presence of inorganic compounds containing chemical elements selected from phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine and mixtures thereof, said catalyst being supported on yttria stabilized zirconium oxide and/or aluminum oxide. Preferably, the catalyst will have the the following formula: (a) MoO3 and/or WO3; (b) La2O3; (c) CeO2; (d) P, S or Cl; (e) ZrO2; (f) Y2O3. Also preferably, the catalyst will be combined with a material selected from an acidic crystalline (modified or not) zeolite, an acidic silica molecular sieve and an acidic alumina. Also disclosed are methods of making said cracking catalysts. The cracking catalysts can be used in both mono- and dual reactor configurations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are mesoporous material derived from a parent zeolite. In an embodiment of the invention, the mesoporous material derived from a parent zeolite, has an internal volume greater than about 0.35 cc/g and a surface area greater than about 250 m2/g, the mesoporous material comprises micropores having a surface area and mesopores, wherein the surface area of the micropores in the mesoporous material is less than about 25% of that in the parent zeolite, wherein less than about 3% of the internal volume of the mesoporous material is provided by micropores and wherein the mesopores are essentially homogeneously distributed and form an essentially interconnected network. In another embodiment of the invention, the mesoporous material derived from an alumina-rich parent zeolite has an internal volume greater than about 0.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method and apparatus for selective deep catalytic cracking of petroleum naphthas or other hydrocarbon feedstocks. The feed comprising the hydrocarbons to be cracked and steam, in well-defined proportions, is first sent into a precatalytic zone (Zone I) of a cracking reactor, preferably a tubular reactor. In a preferred embodiment, Zone I, contains beads of some catalytically mildly active porous material such as quartz or quartz doped with Cr—Al, is set at a temperature T1. The gas steam flows then through a catalyst bed, called Zone II, where the catalytic reaction takes place. Zone II is set at temperature T2 and contains a zeolite type catalyst, preferably ZSM5 zeolite or, most preferably, a hybrid zeolite catalyst.

Abstract: Provided herein are monocomponent and hybrid catalyst compositions for use in steam-cracking of hydrocarbon feeds to selectively produce light olefins. The catalyst compositions being characterized by a first catalytic component comprising oxides of aluminum, silicon, chromium, and optionally, oxides of monovalent alkaline metals, and further comprising a binder, preferably bentonite clay. Preferably, the catalyst compositions will comprise a catalytic component in accordance with the following formula: (a) SiO2·(b) A12O3·(c) Cr2O3(d) alk2O, with alk being a monovalent alkaline metal, preferably selected from sodium, potassium and lithium. The second catalytic component is selected from a crystalline zeolite or a silica molecular sieve. Also provided in the present invention are methods of making the catalyst compositions.

Abstract: Provided herein are hybrid catalysts that are used in the deep catalytic cracking of petroleum naphthas or other hydrocarbon feedstocks, for the selective production of light olefins, in particular ethylene and propylene and BTX aromatics. The hybrid catalysts of this invention contain a chemically treated microporous crystalline silicate such as the pentasil-type silicalite, a mesoporous silica-alumina or zirconium oxide co-catalyst, into which may be incorporated aluminum oxide, molybdenum oxide, lanthanum oxide, cerium oxide or a mixture of aluminum and molybdenum oxides, and an inorganic binder such as bentonite clay.

Abstract: Provided herein are hybrid catalysts that are used in the deep catalytic cracking of petroleum naphthas or other hydrocarbon feedstocks, for the selective production of light olefins, in particular ethylene and propylene and BTX aromatics. The hybrid catalysts of this invention contain a chemically treated microporous crystalline silicate such as the pentasil-type silicalite, a mesoporous silica-alumina or zirconium oxide co-catalyst, into which may be incorporated aluminum oxide, molybdenum oxide, lanthanum oxide, cerium oxide or a mixture of aluminum and molybdenum oxides, and an inorganic binder such as bentonite clay.

Abstract: Provided herein are monocomponent and hybrid catalyst compositions for use in steam-cracking of hydrocarbon feeds to selectively produce light olefins. The catalyst compositions being characterized by comprising oxides of aluminum, silicon, chromium, and optionally, oxides of monovalent alkaline metals, and further comprising a binder. Preferably, the catalyst compositions will comprise a catalytic component in accordance with the following formula: (a)SiO2.(b)Al2O3.(c)Cr2O3.(d)alk2 O, with alk being a monovalent alkaline metal. Most preferably, the oxides are present in the following proportions: (a)SiO2:50-95 wt %;(b)Al2O3:3-30 wt %;(c)Cr2O3:2-10 wt %;(d)alk2O:0-18 wt %. Most preferably, the alkaline metal will be selected from sodium, potassium and lithium. The binder will preferably be bentonite clay. In hybrid configuration, the first catalytic component is provided as described immediately above. The second catalytic component is selected from a crystalline zeolite or a silica molecular sieve.

Abstract: Provided herein is are acidic Z5M-5 zeollte materials which are highly active and selective in the synthesis of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and similar ethers. The materials are obtained by the preparation method comprising the main steps of: i) impregnation of zeolites with fluorine species using ammonium fluoride as precursor, preferably with a F loading of ca.1.9×103 mol.g−1 of zeolite; and ii) stepwise activation in air at preferably 250° C. and then preferably at 300° C. to 500° C., preferably 450° C. The method is preferably applied to desilicated ZSM-5 zeolite and provides conversion rates to MTBE superior to those obtained with prior art commercial AMBERLYSF™ resin (gas phase reaction at 70-80° C.) is obtained. No by-products, commonly produced by prior art commercial organic resin catalyst, are detected in the product spectrum.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are thermally stable ZSM-5 zeolite materials. The novel materials having substantially uniform micropores narrower (about 0.49 nm) or wider (about 0.55 nm and above) than those of conventional ZSM-5 zeolite (0.52-0.54 nm). Also disclosed is a preparation method (desilication/reinsertion/stabilization or DRS) for converting conventional ZSM-5 zeolite materials to the thermally stable zeolite materials of the present invention. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of sequentially treating ZSM-5 zeolite with aqueous solutions of sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide to obtain a desilication of the zeolite, reinserting some of the silicon species (mainly sodium orthosilicate and sodium pyrosilicate) which have been selectively removed from the zeolite framework during the desilication operation, and activating the resulting materials in air or in the presence of steam at high temperatures. The amount of the reinserted silicon species depends on the pore size wanted.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is now provided a novel selective catalyst useful for the synthesis of methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) or ethyl-tert-butyl ether (ETBE) prepared by reacting isobutene with methanol or ethanol, respectively. More specifically, the catalyst of the present invention comprises from about 0.5 to about 7% by weight of triflic acid (trifluoro-methanesulfonic acid, CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3 H, hereafter referred to as TFA) incorporated onto an acid form Y zeolite.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is now provided a hybrid catalyst suitable for the aromatization of light paraffins and olefins, comprising a mixture of a pentasil type zeolite having the structure of ZSM-5 or ZSM-11, and a cocatalyst consisting of gallium oxide supported by an oxide selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina particles and chromium oxide particles.

Abstract: An aromatization catalyst is obtained by physical mixing of a pentasil type zeolite, for example H-ZSM-5 and a zinc oxide-alumina co-precipitate. The weight ratio of the zeolite to the co-precipitate ranges from 4.3 to 28.3. The Zn/Al atomic ratio in the co-precipitate may range from about 0.16 to 25.0. The composite catalyst yields greater amounts of aromatics, particularly BTX aromatics, when contacted with an olefinic and/or paraffinic feedstock than the respective zeolite alone.

Abstract: There is provided a process for converting diluted ethanol to ethylene which comprises heating an ethanol-containing fermentation broth thereby to vaporize a mixture of ethanol and water and contacting said vaporized mixture with a ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst selected from the group consisting ofa ZSM-5 zeolite having a Si/Al atomic ratio of from 5 to 75 which has been treated with steam at a temperature ranging from 400.degree. to 800.degree. C. for a period of from 1 to 48 hours;a ZSM-5 zeolite having a Si/Al atomic ratio of from 5 to 50 and wherein La or Ce ions have been incorporated in a weight percentage of 0.1 to 1.0% by ion exchange or in a weight percentage ranging from 0.1 to 5% by impregnation, anda ZSM-5 zeolite having a Si/Al of from 5 to 50 and impregnated with a 0.5 to 7% wt % of triflic acid,and recovering the ethylene thus produced.

Abstract: There is provided a catalyst comprising from 0.5 to 7% by weight of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid incorporated onto an acid-form pentasil zeolite having a Si/Al atomic ratio ranging from 5 to 50 and a process for producing same. Also within the scope of the present invention is a process for the conversion of dilute aqueous ethanol to ethylene comprising: flowing said ethanol through a catalyst comprising from 0.5 to 7% by weight of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid incorporated onto an acid-form pentasil zeolite having a Si/Al atomic ratio range from 5 to 50 at a temperature ranging from 170.degree. to 225.degree. C. and recovering the desired product.